This dissertation sought to develop a grounded theory explaining how ENGOs assess the environmental performance of firms, select target industries and firms, and influence those targeted industries and firms. A preliminary model based on research in the fields of social movements, neo-institutional theory, stakeholder theory, and corporate social performance was developed. The model contained 21 propositions: seven regarding assessment, nine regarding targeting, and five regarding influencing. Interviews were conducted with 33 representatives of five ENGOs: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Greenpeace, Environmental Defense (ED), World Resources Institute (WRI), and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). NRDC and WRI served as pilot studies. NRDC, Greenpeace, and ED were considered case studies for the purpose of drawing inferences about the propositions. Insufficient interviews were conducted at WRI and UCS to draw inferences from them; however, data from these interviews was included in the dissertation to the extent it provided additional support for the inferences drawn. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the data. Results regarding the propositions were presented, as well as additional findings going beyond the propositions. A grounded theory of how ENGOs assess, target, and influence firms was developed based on the results; a model to accompany the grounded theory was also developed. / Ph. D.

Veterans who served our country, return with a wealth of experience that transfer into military credit for prior service. These transfer credits in institutions of higher education apply towards education degree attainment. With colleges and universities implementing individual policies for acceptance of credits, veterans experience a loss of credits leading to a duplication of required classes to achieve degrees. To understand inconsistent practices, both federal and institutions of higher education polices are examined. Framed by institutionalization theory, this research sheds light on the public policy process and administration of credit at the organization over time. The study provides findings for how the largest public college and higher education institution in the state of California awards academic credit for military education. Evidence suggests that public higher education institutions adapt based on effective leaders who define and defend the organization's institutional values and mission. This study provides findings on institutional adaptations to create policies and practices that public administrators use to apply transfer military credit into postsecondary academic credit. The focus is on postsecondary credit transferred, or articulated, by entering military first-year students using the GI Bill. The study asks how have major institutions of higher education formalized institutional policies and practices on awarding academic credit for military education? / Doctor of Philosophy / This study provides findings on institutional adaptations to create policies and practices that public administrators use to apply transfer military credit into postsecondary academic credit. The focus is on postsecondary credit transferred, or articulated, by entering military first-year students using the GI Bill. The study asks how have major institutions of higher education formalized institutional policies and practices on awarding academic credit for military education?

The number of Ombudsman offices in U.S. federal agencies rose dramatically in the 1990s. This study investigates why, despite the efforts of policymakers to force staff reductions across the federal government, Ombudsman offices continued to be established to the point that almost every agency has an Ombudsman. This study uses neo-institutionalist theory to pinpoint indicators that explain what has triggered the proliferation of external facing Ombudsmen in the federal government. The results of this historical retrospective investigation, which uses a mixed methods approach, indicate that the offices were created to ensure procedural justice and as a response to both: stakeholder pressures (since the population became more vocal and active, demanding access to the government, transparency, and accountability) and congressional mandates (such as the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (ADRA) of 1990 and 1996 the Alternative Dispute Resolution Acts from 1998). This is consistent with neo-institutionalist expectations that organizations change as the result of pressures from forces in the environment combined with the drive for survival. As change accelerates, isomorphism occurs as organizations and agencies adopt strategies that have worked for other similar organizations in their environment. / Ph. D. / This study investigates why, despite the efforts of policymakers to force staff reductions across the federal government, external facing Ombudsman offices continued to be established in the U.S. federal government, to the point that almost every agency has an Ombudsman. This study uses neo-institutionalist theory to pinpoint indicators that explain what has triggered the proliferation of these entities. The results of this historical retrospective investigation indicate that the offices were created to ensure procedural justice and as a response to both: stakeholder pressures (since the population became more vocal and active, demanding access to the government, transparency, and accountability) and congressional mandates (such as the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act (ADRA) of 1990 and 1996 the Alternative Dispute Resolution Acts from 1998).

No / In this article, the authors examine how the internal audit function maintains its legitimacy when enterprise resource planning systems are introduced. This work centers on an in-depth case study of a multinational bank and finds that enterprise resource planning systems impose an institutional logic of control based on interlinked assumptions. These assumptions motivate changes in the practice and structure of the internal audit function to become an integrated and comprehensive function to maintain its legitimacy.

Yes / We examine the relationships among religious governance, especially Islamic governance quality (IGQ), national governance quality (NGQ), and risk management and disclosure practices (RDPs), and consequently ascertain whether NGQ has a moderating influence on the IGQ–RDPs nexus. Using one of the largest data sets relating to Islamic banks from 10 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries from 2006 to 2013, our findings are threefold. First, we find that RDPs are higher in banks with higher IGQ. Second, we find that RDPs are higher in banks from countries with higher NGQ. Finally, we find that NGQ has a moderating effect on the IGQ–RDPs nexus. Our findings are robust to alternative RDP measures and estimation techniques. These results imply that the quality of disclosure depends on the nature of the macro-social-level factors, such as religion that have remained largely unexplored in business and society research, and, therefore, have important implications for policy makers.

This study aimed at filling in the gap in the literature by examining the organizational identity (OI) of a group of private not-for-profit liberal arts colleges (LACs) and their change and/or stability over time. The OIs were investigated by employing a qualitative content analysis for the strategic plans of eleven LACs over time. The selected colleges represented the distinctive characteristics of a LAC though they have made a critical organizational change by adding vocational programs to their curriculum. Findings indicated that the colleges have developed more complex dynamic OIs over time where both change and stability were interacting. Internal and external pressures shaped the organizational identities of the colleges. The colleges could remain some of their distinctive features while other markers of distinctiveness were less pronounced. OI, as a means to combine insights from the classic and new versions of institutional theory, could offer a fruitful link between the normative and the intraorganizational elements of this theory.

Yes / In light of the emerging African Union (AU) legal order, this chapter examines AU’s institutions and courts to situate AU law in the wider context of AU’s enforcement mechanisms. In the nearly two decades of the operational phase of the AU, several institutions and courts have arguably ensured enforcements of its laws, policies, and decisions. Added to its judicial, human rights, and legal organs, the African Court of Human Rights has been at the disposal of the AU in the fight against human rights abuses and implementation of regional and international instruments in environmental and criminal law matters. What could potentially be the impact of these institutions on AU law? Also, will the evolving AU law require a separate enforcement mechanism, or could it rely on pre-existing institutions and courts? These issues become necessary in view of the AU’s commitment to implement Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063, which amongst other things, envisions respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law within the region. The chapter argues that the challenges of weak institutions, corruption, and internal conflicts are endemic within the continent. Therefore, it takes the view that a system of normative, cultural, and cognitive institutional reforms and transformation will be valuable.

Abstract Background: The European Commission has released the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent, targeting a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The directive shifts sustainability reporting from a voluntary to mandatory framework, significantly expanding the range of companies to report. The implementation has gradually started in 2024.   Purpose: The study aims to investigate how Swedish consultancy firms are implementing the CSRD regulations among their clients and how the new regulations are communicated. Understanding this implementation phase can provide insights to manage stakeholder relationships and institutional pressure to remain competitive.  Method: Adopting an interpretivist paradigm, this case study uses Stakeholder and Institutional Theory to explore CSRD implementation among consultancy firms, clients, and other stakeholders. Qualitative interviews were conducted, followed by thematic analysis to identify key mechanisms for implementing the new reporting standards. Conclusion: The findings conclude that sustainability reporting has transitioned from a strategic choice to an institutional requirement. Companies now depend on sustainability consultants to develop strategies for complying with CSRD. Additionally, stakeholder engagement within companies becomes improved with the implementation of CSRD.

Abstract Background: The global shift towards renewable energy is critical for combating climate change and achieving sustainability. This transition is significantly influenced by regulatory frameworks, which vary across different sectors and regions. Turkey's tourism sector, a substantial consumer of energy, presents a unique context for examining the impacts of renewable energy regulations. Purpose: This study explores the implications of recent renewable energy regulatory changes in Turkey on the tourism sector. It aims to understand how these regulations influence the adoption and implementation of renewable energy solutions within tourism businesses, the economic impacts of these regulations, and the role of societal norms and stakeholder expectations in driving these changes.  Method: Employing a qualitative case study approach, this research integrates semi-structured and unstructured interviews, field observations, and document analysis to gather detailed insights. The study focuses on "Summer Tour," a prominent Turkish tourism agency, examining the company’s strategies and responses to regulatory changes through the lens of Institutional Theory. Conclusion: The findings reveal that regulatory changes, particularly the amendments allowing unlicensed energy production outside consumption areas, have significantly facilitated renewable energy adoption in the tourism sector. These changes have yielded substantial economic benefits, including cost savings and enhanced profitability. However, unintended consequences such as regulatory complexity and retroactive policy adjustments pose challenges. Additionally, societal norms and stakeholder expectations play a critical role in shaping organizational behavior towards sustainability. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies and comprehensive regulatory frameworks in promoting renewable energy adoption. / <p>Thesis tackles an interesting topic of renewable energy adoption through the lens of institutional theory. The background section is well written which clearly highlights the importance of the study. Problem discussion, however, lacks theoretical focus. Institutional theory is presented as a theoretical lens to understand adoption of renewable energy in Turkish tourism sector but motivation of using this theory is missing. Authors need to further elaborate on: what we know about institutional theory and sustainability, what we do not know? And how the current research adds to our understanding of institutional theory and sustainability. Literature review chapter is well structured. There is good discussion on the literature on renewable energy adoption and the government role which shows authors in-depth understanding of the topic. Also, section on Turkish renewable sector is well presented. The section on institutional theory is okay. However, the discussion on the connections between three pillars and renewable energy/sustainability are generic, how it is relevant in Turkish context is lacking, specifically in the tourism industry. Need to reflect on how the use of institutional theory enhance our understanding of Renewable energy adoption in Turkish tourism sector. Single case study is well connected to the purpose and RQ of the thesis. However critical reflection on single case study design is needed, for example a discussion on single vs multiple case design and why authors have chosen single case design. There is an interesting discussion on data analysis but lacks explanation on how different steps are taken to move from codes to themes and aggregate dimensions. Case description is well written, however, there is a need to add a chronological history, steps taken, and challenges faced by the company and how they overcome these challenges overall findings are well presented in a data structure. The discussion chapter relates the findings to the existing literature. There is an interesting discussion on updated conceptual framework vis a vis Turkish tourism sector, but how these contribute to the literature on institutional theory and sustainability is lacking. There needs to be a discussion on adding to the existing literature which extends the current understanding of institutional theory in general and sustainability in particular.</p>

This study investigates the role of private regulatory initiatives, with a particular focus on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, in addressing governance gaps and promoting corporate accountability under human rights violations. The research examines how the BDS movement functions as a private regulatory entity, influencing business practices to adhere to human rights standards and ethical considerations. Using a qualitative methodology, the study analyses the case of Airbnb, exploring the firm’s response to BDS pressures and the underlying reasons for these responses. The theoretical framework draws on organisational legitimacy and institutional theories, highlighting how and why businesses navigate ethical, legal, and stakeholder pressures. The findings reveal that the BDS movement significantly impacts corporate behaviour by leveraging pragmatic legitimacy, including exchange and influence legitimacy, to drive compliance. The analysis demonstrates that companies respond to BDS demands based on an interplay of ethical considerations, stakeholder pressures, and the pursuit of legitimacy. This study also identified the limitations of relying solely on existing legal frameworks for corporate accountability and underscores the necessity of supplementary private regulatory initiatives. By providing a comprehensive examination of the BDS movement’s regulatory role and its implications for corporate governance, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how civil society-driven efforts can shape business practices and promote ethical standards.